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March 3, 2007 : Agave americana 'Marginata'
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Keywords: Agavaceae | Agave americana 'Marginata' | cultivated in Hiranandani Gardens, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Today's image is courtesy of dinesh_valke@Flickr aka Dinesh from Mumbai, India (original image | Flickr BPotD Group Pool). I do encourage you to visit Dinesh's photographs on Flickr – much to learn about both plants and Mumbai! Thank you, Dinesh!
It seems like many Agave species have the common name of century plant, somewhat implying that the plants live for a hundred years. While it is indeed long-lived, a few decades is more the norm for this monocarpic species; it can take thirty years or more to flower, but upon eventual production of fruit, the entire plant begins to senesce.
More photographs of Agave americana are available from the Master Gardeners of the University of Arizona Pima County Coop Extension. The Plants for a Future database has details on the edible, medicinal and textile uses of this species.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at March 3, 2007 12:00 AM
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Posted by: yousatonmycactus at March 3, 2007 2:52 AM
Agave americana 'Marginata' - Z9 - RHS Index of Garden Plants, Griffiths
Agave americana 'Marginata' - min. 5 degrees celsius/41 degrees fahrenheit - A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, Brickell, Cole, Zuk
Posted by: Beverley at March 3, 2007 7:15 AM
Spelling corrected - such are the mistakes that happen when you are writing at 1:30 at night after a party!
Posted by: Daniel Mosquin 
at March 3, 2007 7:16 AM
Agave americana is generally fully cold-hardy here in zone 9a (south Louisiana). As others have noted, they can grow to massive proportions; in the months prior to rare blooming, the inflorescence grows to at least 40' (11m) tall. Though the flowers are unspectacular, the plant itself can become quite statuesque. A very arresting sight.
Posted by: nancy anne at March 3, 2007 11:26 AM
For a moment I thought it was winter again, and we were seeing some of the great abstract photos from Daniel! Alas, Spring should be just around the corner.
Posted by: Cyndy Henderson at March 3, 2007 3:58 PM
Thank you very much, Daniel.
Posted by: Dinesh Valke at June 2, 2007 7:22 AM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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Botany Photo of the Day is a project of the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, located in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. UBC BGCPR is a department of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems within The University of British Columbia.
I am not familiar with the term "evenutal", but am always willing to learn... The inflorescense of the Agave americana can reach epic proportions, soaring 30' to 40' or more. They look like asparagus spears as they grow, and after termination and hardening, make wonderful multi-storied or singular bird houses by careful cutting and drilling of appropriate sized holes. I have successfully transplanted "pups" to well drained soil and also into larger containers.